OverDrive for Kindle users just got MUCH easier

OverDrive and Amazon have updated the way that Kindle owners can find and borrow titles to read on their device. Not all publishers allow their books in Kindle format, but the majority of the titles we have purchased at OverDrive are available for Kindle.Which means they are compatible with eReaders like the e-Ink style Paperwhite or the Kindle Fire color tablet. In fact, you don't even need a Kindle!

Many patrons prefer reading  in a Kindle Reading app installed on a mobile device like an iPad or even on a computer. Someone who might read on their phone while riding the bus and then later on their laptop likes having Kindle sync to the last point read on all of their devices. No bookmarks necessary.

What do you need to know to help patrons?  Here's what's NEW and what is the SAME:

No need to choose Kindle format before borrowing

Step 1
When Browsing, there is now a Kindle collection [only] to choose.When searching, Kindle Format is now a prominent link in results. When patrons use these, find a book they want and Borrow it - the Kindle Book will be the first format option presented on their Loans page.  NEW   

Step 1-A
The all-Kindle-all-the-time patron will want to know they can set their OverDrive account to ONLY show them Kindle titles. Kindle will be the only choice on their Loans page.  This is important for patrons who use our APL app to place holds, or they may get the EPUB format default.  NEW 

Step 2

Users still must complete the loan at Amazon, with their own Amazon account. If their Kindle device cannot access the open web (have only the Kindle 3G connection to BUY Kindle books) they will need to do this on a computer. An OverDrive title, like any Kindle book, can be "delivered" to a specific Kindle eReader, or Kindle app on a  mobile device or computer.   SAME

 

Step 3

Patrons can use their own or our public PCs  to deliver the OverDrive title to their Kindle, but they DO need to know their Amazon account email and password. Once signed in to Amazon, they just find the Kindle Store and then click on the page called “Manage Your Content and Devices.”  Then click in the box for “Actions” next to the OverDrive title. Choose Deliver to…and the name of the device or location of Kindle or Kindle app.      SAME

Want to return a Kindle book early? This cannot be done from the OverDrive Account or Loans page. 

Go back to Amazon's “Manage Your Content and Devices” and choose Return this book.

SAME



See the OverDrive Help site for more info about managing Kindle titles at Amazon
Click here to print an OverDrive tip sheet for Kindle. 

Help for SAT Tests plus Loads More at Homework Help site!

The new SAT test came out in 2016...but there are plenty of kids taking them this year! Here are a few tips for you to help patrons when all the print books are checked out.

Free Tutoring
The Homework Help site is for all Virginia Students Grades 3-12. 


Besides subject tutoring in general math, science, reading and writing, the online tutors will also help students prepare for their SAT tests.

It's not specific test practice but kids will get help with their SAT questions from state-certifed teachers.



Students shouldn't need their Library Card, but if that happens, they can Login in here instead.


Test Prep eBooks 
Access to a few of Barron's SAT prep books on the Literati site. These eBooks aren't downloadable, just read onscreen. Always available, with unlimited users.

•      Barron's New SAT  
•      Barron's PSAT/NMSQT  

Note: Kids and parents can always find the link to Free Tutoring on our website page for elementary schoolers or Middle and High Schoolers.  Or click here to get started at the Literati site. Just click the Homework Help tab at the right margin.

Remembering September 11th

As part of the commemoration of this year's anniversary, please take a look at the Topic Guide for Arlington Remembers.

Why do we commemorate that day? We want to remember, as a way to honor the all victims and the families affected by the attacks. And we also keep remembering because we are still trying to make sense of what happened.

Here is a snippet from an eBook that outlines political events prior to September 11 and their cause and effect on American lives.

Understanding the Unthinkable

"While the devastating attacks that visited American shores on September 11, 2001, can be chronicled in precise detail, understanding why the attacks happened presents a challenge. In the days just after September 11, Americans reacted with disbelief..."

Read this GVRL eBook in your web browser.


Cause & Effect: September 11 Attacks. Robert Green. San Diego: ReferencePoint Press, 2016. Gale Virtual Reference Library.  


I hope that you find the Arlington Remembers collection of resources of interest.

Sally

Zinio App Grows Up

Yowza!

The Zinio app has finally grown beyond a “Reading Only”  app to an actual Browsing app…where patrons can browse for a magazine right within the app.

Users can:

Download titles already checked out

NEW: Browse for more magazines from within the app (1/2016)

NEW: Mobile offline reading for iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire (1/2016) once title is downloaded

Even if you have the app installed be sure to check for an update.  Visit the app store on your device - if you don't find it - see our own Zinio page for details on Kindle Fire HDX or Windows devices.

Lynda.com videos on the big screen

Somtimes you just don't want to huddle over your laptop, right?  

Now you can stream our Lynda.com videos from your Roku device to your TV. The sound will be better and you can either just relax, or maybe take notes while you watch the tutorial.

• First, Login to your Lynda account on computer
• From TV, select Roku, add the Lynda Roku channel 
• Get activation code from Roku screen; then on your computer go to www.lynda.com/connect  and type in the code
• Now the Lynda channel should be validated for Roku access and appear in your channel lineup

Details on our Lynda.com page on the website, any time you want to show a patron.


Brought to you by our intrepid testers Sarah Daviau and Michelle Miller. 

Google Accounts in Gale Databases

Seamless User Login: Users can sign in to save and share Gale database or eBook content using their Google credentials (including Gmail) without having to remember a separate password.

If it's available, you'll see  the Google logo at the top of the screen in our databases like General OneFile and Research in Context-- like so:

What's truly great about this?  Besides not having to create or remember another account to store Gale articles or GVRL eBook sections...when you save it, it's all in the same place.  And you can access it any time, on your own Google Drive, without having to Login to a database.

So start saving individual articles to your Google Drive. No more emailing files to yourself or saving them to a local or portable drive.  The content remains accessible from whatever device you use now or in the future.


Pretty darn cool, right?

Back To School - Kids Database Changes

Here's an update on some Changes, Drops and Adds

>> As of August 1st, Tumblebooks - Lib card and PIN are now required by the vendor.  This could mean some patrons who are not cardholders may now be disappointed.

>> Effective August 2015, we dropped both Little Pim and New Book of Knowledge databases.

So, while we say farewell to New Book of Knowledge and Little Pim, we also welcome the new Research in Context database.
                                                     
While the New Book of Knowledge database had been a homework staple, it just wasn't being used much anymore. The interface was outdated and clunky looking. We dropped it due to low usage...we dropped the print edition some years back.

BUT never fear     Kids InfoBits is a good general homework source for the youngest students.  With regular updates like these, you'll feel good suggesting it to parents:

Under the category of Fish, six new entries have been made include Angelfish, Mollie, and the Mullet.
New homepage snippets (InfoBits) have been added for September including:

    Museums feature in the Arts category, Back to School in the People category, Labor Day, which is September 7, in the Social Studies category     
    Football is featured in the Sports category

Over 450 entries have been updated, with many of them focusing on marine life, contemporary figures and countries. 

National Geographic Kids  
is another good starter source with its Topic sections like Environment, History, People, Places, Science & Tech. Along with the "National Geographic Kids" magazine from 2009-present (3 month embargo.) and National Geographic kids eBooks to read online, (No downloads.) PLUS - 500 downloadable images to download for educational purposes.

Check out the fast and easy search widgets for each database on Kids Homework
http://library.arlingtonva.libguides.com/homeworkhelpelementary
Users DO have to use their card number and PIN from home.

We hated doing it, but we dropped Little Pim Online (with its adorable panda) also due to low usage. But we still have Muzzy Languages - with 8 languages.  Muzzy is aimed at children from preschool to elementary school age.


For the Older Students

 Research in Context 
Created specifically for middle-schoolers, Research in Context combines Gale's reference content with age-appropriate videos, newspapers, magazines, primary sources, and more.
Good for assignments in core subjects including literature, science, social studies, and history. Special features like the current Hurricane Katrina bring timely and authoritative info.

Another handy search widget on the Homework Help page here:
http://library.arlingtonva.libguides.com/middleandhighschool

 Research in Context has strong content for these subjects:
    Biography, Environment, History, Nation and World, Science &Technology

That's it for now - Any questions?

Sally